This event is testing an idea of Seth Godin's, which is to let early subscribers in relatively cheap and require later subscribers to pay more. There is no obligation to buy the cheapest ticket available - they are all the same. This is an interesting model to us because a) feedback is fairly immediate through ticket sales, and b) the idea is relatively location-independent, and therefore handy for people like Steve who travel a lot. These things should be a sort of “open source flashmob think tank” with hospitality.

Those who attend will be entertained in the chairman's suite. Steve will attempt to ensure that the conversation is pleasing, the company is delightful, and that he manages to stay awake until 10pm (he is flying out of Dulles early Tuesday, having only just arrived back from Europe).

Even the hoders of the more expensive tickets should see reasonable value for money; this particular event is not for-profit. For the incurably tardy with deep pockets we attempt to pull out a stop or two. Anyone who attends is free to bend Steve's ear, and should expect him to talk back.

This event carries The Open Bastion's cast-iron money-back guarantee. If you can make us believe you did not receive value for money you will receive a 110% refund. If we cannot agree then we both post our account of the disagreement on comp.lang.python and forget that we ever had any dignity.

We apologize for the short notice. Steve has been on vacation.